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C and Sr isotopic evolution of carbonate sequences in NW Argentina: Implications for a probable Precambrian-Cambrian transition

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Abstract

Upper Precambrian-Lower Cambrian sequences in the Tucuman, Salta and Jujuy provinces, NW Argentina, comprise sandstone, slate, conglomerate and black limestone (Las Tienditas/Volcan Fms.) with abundant Vendian/Tommotian trace fossils in the clastic facies rocks. The Precordillera basin, San Juan province, represents a continuous carbonate sequence belonging to the Lower to Middle Cambrian La Laja Fm. The Pie-de-Palo Range, Pampean Range, characterized by carbonates intercalated with greenschist/amphibolite facies metaclastic rocks, forms a part of the Precordillera basement. The δ13C values in carbonates of the Las Tienditas Fm. show a gradual decrease from the base (+3.4 ‰PDB) to the top with a minimum of −1.6‰ observed at ∼15m from the top, the latter having a higher clay content. Carbonates in a 700m thick section within La Laja Fm. is marked by a slightly positive δ13C values at the base (marly) with a negative anomaly (−2.0‰) at ∼20 m above, followed by a small positive anomaly (+0.5‰) ∼100 m from the base. All the values above this point are around −0.5‰ with a negative anomaly (−2.0‰) recorded at ∼240m above the base.

Seawater87Sr/86Sr values define a non-monotonic increase (0.70870–0.71082) through the carbonates in Las Tienditas Fm. while the La Laja Fm carbonates vary from 0.70926 to 0.71030, with higher values at the base. C and Sr isotopes, thus suggest that the Las Tienditas carbonates record the Precambrian-Cambrian transition (∼15m from the top of studied section). The same is also evident at ∼30 m from the base of the La Laja Fm. The narrow range of δ13C variation (−1.4 to +1.3‰) and87Sr/86Sr in the 0.709–0.710 range for the Caucete Group carbonates of the Pie-de-Palo Range, although unequivocally, appear to be in consonance with a Vendian to Tommotian age, reinforced by the presence of the trace fossils Didymaulichnus and Gordia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Geology, Fed. Univ. of Pernambuco, Brazil

    A. N. Sial & V. P. Ferreira

  2. INSUGEO, National University of Tucuman, Tucuman, Argentina

    A. J. Toselli & F. G. Aceñolaza

  3. Institute of Geosciences, Uiversity of Brasilia, Brasilia, D.F., Brazil

    M. M. Pimentel

  4. Dept. of Geology, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile

    M. A. Parada

  5. Dept. of Geology, National University of Salta, Argentina

    R. N. Alonso

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  1. A. N. Sial
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  2. V. P. Ferreira
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  3. A. J. Toselli
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  4. F. G. Aceñolaza
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  5. M. M. Pimentel
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  6. M. A. Parada
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Correspondence to A. N. Sial.

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Sial, A.N., Ferreira, V.P., Toselli, A.J. et al. C and Sr isotopic evolution of carbonate sequences in NW Argentina: Implications for a probable Precambrian-Cambrian transition. Carbonates Evaporites 16, 141–152 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03175832

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